Noel Doyle finishes clear at the Australian Pursuit

The 30 riders were from West Down Wheelers, Dromara CC, Banbridge CC and East Antrim CC. The first group off was the very young Christopher Weir, J McGuigan, N Doyle and Chrissy Hodgen.

Five minutes later went the big group of J Kernahan, M Alexander, A Walker, D White, B McGrath, D Cartmill, M McKnight,G Magowan, JAdair, S Wallace, I Bradford, S Daly, R Mallon, I Walker and D Weir.

A further three minutes later went D Hanna, P Lilley, S Baines, D McDonald, D McKnight, D Weir,G Gray, and R Smyth.

The conditions were perfect - warm, dry and hardly any wind. This would mean the first group would be hard to catch.

In the first part of the course very little changed, but going up the tough climb at Annalone the big second group split due to riders not watching what was going on. This can lead to the part in the race coming to an end, but after working together they made contact at the Co-op near Rathfriland.

Only time would tell if the big push to get back on took too much out of them.

D Cartmill’s race ended when he punctured, meanwhile the limit group of Hodgen, Weir, Doyle, and McGuigan were firing along nicely but the hard working scratch were gaining on the big second group and made contact at Katebridge.

This very big group was now in pursuit of the hard working leaders with the toughest part of the course to come starting at McCoy’s, climbing from there to top of the very tough Cattle Hill.

It was surely going to test the fitness of the riders. Race Secretary Clive Adamson was near the top of hill and said he could not believe what he saw - the youngest, smallest rider by far attacking up Cattle Hill.

Young Christopher Weir showed unbelievable confidence; surely a wee man to watch out for in the coming years.

The four leaders came together at the top but could they hold out to the finish as the tough climb would have sapped up much needed energy.

There were numerous attacks comming from the big group but as most riders now are fit it would take a good man to get away. With a mile to go West Down’s Noel Doyle took off on his own, hoping for glory and gave it everything to cross the finish line well clear.

Next was Chrissy Hodgen coming into view with the big group bearing down on him and boy was it close. He just about held out to take a very good second place with Paul Wilkinson 3rd , Mark Alexander 4th and James Adair 5th.

Banbridge’s Pete Lilley was the first visitor over the line. He was the fastest man on the night. This was a very good night’s racing and a very exciting finish so well done to all who took part.

This weeks race is a 25 mile TT on the Castlewellan Road for the Steven Savage Memorial. The next race is on July 20 which consists of a club road race at Katesbridge. Any rider not competing is asked to turn up and help.

Let the club know if you are going to help, plus get in touch with Billy to see what he needs for the forthcoming open race at Katesbridge on August 14.